Pennsylvania Law/Borough Ordinances
- Underage drinking
O 18 Pa. C.S.A. 6308.
- This includes consumption, or transportation of alcoholic beverages. Penalties include fines up to $300 to $500, up to 90 days in prison and 90-day to two-year driver’s license suspension. Parents will be notified for those under 21.
- Misrepresenting age to obtain alcohol
O 18 Pa. C.S.A. 6307.
- Penalties include fines up to $300 to $500, up to one year in prison, and 90-day to two-year driver’s license suspension. Parents will be notified for those under 21.
- Carrying a false ID to obtain alcohol.
O 18 Pa. C.S.A. 6310.3.
- Penalties include fines up to $500, up to one year in prison and 90-day to two-year driver’s license suspension. Parents will be notified for those under 18.
- Representing a minor to be 21 or older.
O 18 Pa. C.S.A. 6309.
- Penalties include fines of $300 to $2,500 and or up to one year in prison.
- Requesting or inducing a minor to obtain alcohol.
O 18 Pa. C.S.A. 6310.
- Penalties include fines of not less than $300 up to $2500 and or up to one year in prison.
- Knowingly making, altering, selling, or attempting to sell a false ID.
O 18 Pa. C.S.A. 6310.2.
- Penalties include fines of not less than $1,000 to $5,000 and or up to two years in prison.
- Furnishing alcohol to minors (including allowing minors to possess alcohol on premises owned or controlled by person charged). O 18 Pa. C.S.A. 6310.1.
- Penalties include fines of not less than $1,000 up to $2,500 (can be per person served) and or up to one year in prison.
- Restriction on alcoholic beverages. O 18 Pa. C.S.A. 7513.
- It is unlawful for any person who is an operator or an occupant in any motor vehicle to be in possession of an open alcoholic beverage container or to consume any alcoholic beverage or controlled substance. Penalties include fines up to $300, up to 90 days in prison.
Alcoholic Beverages (Open Containers)
It shall be unlawful, within the Borough of Gettysburg, for any person to drink “liquor” or “malt or brewed beverages” upon any public street, municipal parking lot, private parking lot open for public use or public park, or in any vehicle operated or parked thereon.
It shall be unlawful, within the Borough of Gettysburg, for any person to have in such person’s possession or in a vehicle under such a person’s control any open container containing “Liquor” or “malt or brewed beverages” upon any public street, municipal parking lot, private parking lot open for public use or public park.
Noise Violations (Disorderly Conduct)
It shall be unlawful for any person to make unreasonable noise as to disturb, annoy or inconvenience any other person. Any noise includes but is not limited to noises caused by loud music, loud talking, yelling, and barking dogs (etc.). The Gettysburg Borough Police Department has the right to issue citations on a single complaint from the public. A warning is not necessary if the Police Officer feels the citation is warranted.
- Federal Penalties and Sanctions for Illegal Trafficking and Possession of a Controlled Substance: Federal Trafficking Penalties can be found at: http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/ agency/penalties/htm.
Alcohol/Drug-Related Support Services
Counseling
Gettysburg College’s Counseling Services has a staff of licensed mental health professionals who are available to students for on-going counseling, assessment, referral to off-campus counseling, and crisis support. Students may participate in a confidential individual assessment of their alcohol and other drug use by Counseling Services staff. The counselor and student collaborate to set mutually agreed upon goals. Substance use assessments generally take three, one-hour sessions. Harm reduction and abstinence support groups are offered if requested by a group of 5. On-campus support for students returning from off-campus treatment programs is available. All counseling services are offered at no charge and are strictly confidential. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 717-337-6960.
All first year students participate in a mandatory on-line alcohol education course, before arriving and during orientation. The following programs build on this foundation. Students can refer themselves to our program or can be referred by the residence life or judicial systems, a Dean, faculty member, coach, Parent, other advisor or friend.
BASICS Group*
Trained staff offer this as a 1-session educational group followed by an individual meeting with a counselor. This program gives students the opportunity to assess the effects of their drinking, to set goals and to get support for effecting positive change in their lives. Students complete BASICS only once. (*Group adaptation of Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students, G. Alan Marlatt et. al., U. of Washington, Guilford Press, 1999)
Alcohol and Other Drug Use Assessment
Students may complete a substance use assessment through True North Wellness Services, 44 South Franklin Street, Gettysburg (717 632 4900) or Pennsylvania Counseling Services, 344 York St., Gettysburg (717-337-0026). There is a fee for this service but both providers participate with many health insurance plans, including our student health insurance provider. Be sure to have your health insurance information available when you call. Students must sign a release with their off-campus assessment provider, giving them permission to send notification to the Gettysburg College Counseling Services office (where it remains protected by confidentiality laws) that the assessment process was completed and indicating any follow-up recommended for the student as the result of the assessment. The student must also sign a release with the Gettysburg College Counseling Services office allowing them to confirm with the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities that the off campus assessment was completed (no other information from the assessment is shared with the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities unless the student requests this and signs a separate release form).
True North Wellness Services, 44 South Franklin Street, Gettysburg; 717-334-9111
Pennsylvania Counseling Services, 334 York St., Gettysburg; 717-337-0026
Wellspan Behavioral Health, 1270 Fairfield Rd., Gettysburg, 717-337-4283
Gettysburg College community members experiencing an acute alcohol or other drug emergency should be transported to the Gettysburg Hospital Emergency Department via ambulance (call 911).